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VOL I. No.2. LOUISVILLE. KENTUCKY
Five Cents Per Copy
"GANG RULE" IS BROKEN. Republican City and County Ticket Wins Overwhelming Victory. Tuesday night about ten o'clock the Buckingham gang rolled itself up in its blankets of corruption and misrule and laid down for a "Rip Van Winkle" snooze of four years. The gang is not dead though, simply given the "knockout" count. Whether is shall be able to recover depends on the ability of the newly elected Republican ticket to deliver the "goods." The Republican ticket headed by George Weissinger Smith, for Mayor, and including William Kreiger for County Judge, J. Mat Chilton for County Attorney, W. E. Ross for Sheriff, and J. F. Grinstead, J. B. Baskin and Phil A. Hunt for County Commissioners, received majorities ranging from 1,000 to 2,400. In 80 out of 84 county and city races the Republicans were returned victors. The Democrats were able to elect one State Senator, one Representative, one Magistrate and one constable. The Democratic candidate for County Superintendent was unopposed. The Republicans made a vigorous campaign, appealing for support to the independent and anti-machine Democratic vote an the issue of saloon-ridden politics and rotation in office. That the call for support did not fall on deaf ears is evidenced by the fact that the Republicans polled nearly 8,000 more votes than their registration showed. Anaylsis of Vote. An analysis of the vote cast reveals a number of curious alignments. Previous election returns afforded no basis for predictions, as the opposing forces lined up with very little regard for party affiliation. The stay-at-[illegible] contest. The First, Fourth and Twelfth wards, generally Democratic strongholds, returned Republican majorities, the Twelfth giving Mr. Smith a majority of over 1,000 votes. The Second and Eighth wards ran true to form, giving Democratic majorities, but greatly reduced. The Ninth ward, generally Republican by a small majority, gave the Democrats an overwhelming majority of 450. The Tenth ward, known as a Republican stronghold, gave a Republican majority of less than 200. This indicates that probably one-half of the colored vote was cast for the Democratic ticket. The reason, however, is very evident. The lawless and saloon element among the colored population saw in the active campaign of the Republican nominees against vice and lawlessness in all forms, their death warrant. The representative of The Leader, in his rounds on election day, saw the colored saloon influences actively at work for the success of the Democratic ticket. The division of the colored vote in such a way is pleasing to Negroes who are zealous for a new deal in the administration of the city's affairs. Republican officials, if shown that their main colored vote came from men who wish to see vice suppressed, may be persuaded to end such obnoxious things as the drinking of women over bars, soliciting an the streets, barrel houses on every corner in the colored districts and unsanitary and law-evading tenements. Colored Republicans Pleased. Leading colored Republicans when seen were over-joyed at the result of the election. Dr. E. D. Whedbee when seen said, "The election of Mr. Smith and the entire Republican ticket is the greatest political event in the city since the Grinstead administration of 1907. It will rid the city of its lawless element and give the colored population its share of recognition." ---- When interviewed by a Leader reporter, Dr. W. T. Merchant said, "The election of Hon. Geo. W. Smith for mayor of Louisville insures to the whole people a better, cleaner, and purer city government. Mr. Smith's past career guarantees that he will be Mayor for all the people regardless of race, creed or station, and that Louisville will for the next four years have a straightforward, economical and honest administration. His vigorous campaign, backed with the uupurchasable truths in his appeals to the people, won for him a signal victory which should be sanctioned by everybody who desired to see Louisville get back to the fair name she has lost under mismanagement."
THE COLORED CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE THANKS COLORED VOTERS THROUGH THE LEADER. "We will to publicly and personally congratulate every decent and self-respecting Colored Republican voter for the loyal, heroic and patriotic stand which you manifested last Tuesday at the polls. You showed, beyond all reasonable doubt, that you appreciate good government and decent citizenship. Without your vote we could have never won the sweeping victory for Louisville and Jefferson county, which crowned our efforts. The malicious machine has been destroyed and you had a hand in its destructiton. We have much for which to be hopeful in the future as a race. We give you, as our parting word, continue to stand up like men, be strong, true and loyal to Republican principles, and the victory will be yours to enjoy." "Again we congratulate you, 'To the victor belongs the spoils.'" J. B. COLBERT, Chairman Colored Republican Campaign Committee. AL A. ANDREWS, Secretary.
Indianapolis Elects Colored Councilman. (Special to the Leader.) Indianapolis, Ind.---Dr. Sumner A. Furniss, a leading colored physician of this city, was elected city councilman on the Republican ticket, to represent the Fourth Councilmanic district, at Tuesday's election. Dr Furniss made an active fight and his presence on the ticket drew practically the entire Negro vote to the G. O. P., causing thereby the election of the whole ticket. This is the first instance in this city where a Negro has been elected to the city governing body. [illegible] lian Morris, a member of a prominent family in that city.
TAYLOR-FERGUSON Mrs. Maude M. Taylor, principal of the Twenty-ninth St. public school, and Rev. David Leroy Ferguson, rector of the Church of the Merciful Saviour, were joined in wedlock, with full choral service, at the Church of Our Merciful Saviour, Thursday evening, at 5 p. m. The bride was attended by her sister, Mrs. Sumner A. Furniss, matron of honor. The groom was attended by his best man, Dr. Wilson Ballard. The bride and groom left at 10 p. m. for New York via Zenia, from whence Rev. Ferguson will sail for France, where he will engage in Y. M. C. A. war work. Out of town guests to the wedding were: Dr. and Mrs. S. A. Furniss, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dodson, Mrs. Angel Lemon and Mr. Bristow Morris, all of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Alicia Anderson of Chicago. Rev. Mundy of Henderson, officiated.
NOTICE. The Negro Fraternal Congress has been called to meet at noon Friday, November 30, in the Pythian Temple. Together with representatives from each of the Grand Lodges, a representative from every lodge and society in the city is expected. By order of the Executive Committee. E. E. UNDERWOOD, M. D., Pres. C. W. King, Secretary.
BOYS' CONFERENCE A GREAT SUCCESS. Lexington, Ky.---The first Annual Older Boys Conference for Kentucky was held in this city November 2, 3, 4, and attracted a large number of delegates and adult leaders. Ninety-nine delegates and leaders representing the following places were in attendance: Louisville, Shelbyville, Lincoln Institute, Versailles, Georgetown, Cincinnati and Harrodsburgy. Among the prominent men present were G. W. Saffell, W. H. Mayo, W. B. Matthews, J. A. Green, O. M. Brown, Lee L. Brown, and International Secretaries G. W. Moore, J. E. Moorland and W. L. Chandler. Some of the things accomplished were fifteen conversions, resolutions asking for a State Boy's Work Secretary, and a deepening of the religious sense of the boys. The following officers were elected: W. L. Kean, Louisville, President; Lucian Dole, Shelbyville, First Vice President; A. McPheeters, Lexington, Second Vice President; Earl Gray Lincoln Institute, Third Vice President; W. D. Johnson, Louis ville, Fourth Vice President; and M. Shelburne, K. N. & I. I., Secretary. Louisville was chosen as the next meeting place.
Rural Life Conference To Be Held At Pembroke, Kentucky
(Special to the Leader.)
Pembroke, Ky., Nov. 8, 1917.--On November 14 and 15, the Negroes of this part of the State have planned a Rural Life Conference, to be held at Training School, Pembroke, Ky.
The object of the conference is to improve the Negro farmer, teaching him as far as time will permit, the better methods of stock raising and farming; how to safeguard his health, and that of his family, which means better health for the community, better teachers for the Negro children, and better preachers for the Negro people.
Some of the leading educators of the South will be present and will take part in the program. A list of them proves the greatness of the attempt that is being made. Dr. H. H. Cherry, Western State Normal School, Superintendent of Public Instruction; V. O. Gilbert, Hon. J. C. Napier, ex-Register of the United States Treasury; Prof. H. C. Russell, Pres. Kentucky Negro Educational Association; Elder Preston Taylor, Nashville, Tenn., and many others.
Over $300.00 will be given away in prizes for the best display in agricultural products. It is hoped that competition for these prizes will be state wide. Write C. L. Timberlake for information.
Rev. Melville D. Perdue, now pastoring a leading Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, Mich., is a product of Louisville, and a young writer and thinker of ability. Beginning with our next issue, Mr. Perdue [will write a series of articles?] for The Leader. His initial subject will be "The Negro In the North."
GREAT NEGRO FRATERNAL CONGRESS TO MEET. The Negro Fraternal Congress will hold its third annual session in the Pythian Temple Friday, November 30. This Congress brings to our city the leading spirits of each of the Fraternal Orders of the State, who plan to effect a unity of purpose in our several organizations as well as being influenced in having such legislation enacted in our State as to promote the best interest of the Negro in general. Dr. [S.?] E. Underwood, Frankfort, Ky., the President, says this will be quite a historical meeting of Negroes. Many questions affecting us directly in the present state of affairs, are to be met and adjusted. A large delegation from over the State is expected and the secretary, Mr. C. W. King, states that each lodge in our city will be expected to be represented.
THINGS MILITARY. Within the next few weeks the fourth quota of drafted men assigned to Camp Zachary Taylor, composed largely of colored men, will be in the city. The officers in charge have been ready to receive them for some time and the men on arriving will find things far more comfortable than the first arrivals found them. The battalion to be selected for immediate service as non-combatants will be organized and out-fitted first as they are expected to leave for France at the earliest possible moment. The Y. M. C. A. stag for the local cantonment is nearly completed. It consists of Mr. Johnson of Macon, Ga., Religious Secretary; Mr. Stevenson of Cincinnati, Social Secretary; Mr. Morris Taylor, of this city. Physical Secretary and a House Secretary to be named later. Mr. Taylor is in charge at present. The men of the Eighth Illinois Infantry under the iron hand of Col. Dennison, are establishing a record for self-control at Houston, Tex. They have been subjected to numerous insults but their officers, all colored, are determined that no outburst shall occur. As a result of the announcement that the regiment is leading all other outfits at the camp in Liberty Bond purchases with the total of $133,200, the citizens seemed to have accorded them in the past week a greater degree of respect. Occupying a favored section in the Liberty Loan parade of Houston, they are accorded marked applause along the line of march. The lone encounter at Camp Logan has been between white Illinois soldiers hailing from East St. Louis, and members of the Eighth. The colored boys were insulted and attacked by the white men but came off none the worst for the encounter. Col. Dennison soon restored order with an armed provost guard. No one is surprised at the occurrence. The East St. Louis soldiers have been under expert tutelage in such matters. The Fifteenth New York has found things rather stormy at Spartanburg, S. C. Special Commissioner Emmet J. Scott has been compelled to make a trip to the scene to assist in restoring the status quo. White New York soldiers in one instance took the part of their brothers of color, telling them to keep quiet, as any act of theirs would be called a race riot by the local press, and soundly thrashed a crowd of hill-billies who were insulting colored troopers. Word comes that the colored troops having colored officers will only have white colonels and majors. The regimental adjutants, captains and lieutenants will all be colored. As merit shows itself colored men are to be raised to the rank of battalion and regimental commanders. Rector D. Leroy Ferguson of the Church of Our Merciful Savior, departs this week for New York, from whence he will sail for France to engage in Y. M. C. A. war work. Rector Ferguson's immediate assignment and location is not known. The Leader is privileged to announce that Rector Ferguson will contribute to its columns from time to time articles on war topics and life at the front. The readers of the Leader will be especially fortunate in having news directly from the front. Subscribe to The Leader and learn of the black man's part in the war in America and Europe.
The Louisville Pub. Co. Secures Printers of Training and Experience
In connection with the Louisville Leader the management adds men of training and years of experience to its printing department.
During our business career here in Louisville it has been our desire and noble aim to properly serve the public. To do this we have attempted to improve upon our methods and general service as it has become necessary and expedient. We have endeavored to give to the patrons of Louisville some of the best mechanics to be had in Louisville and in the trade schools in the land, and in our humble effort to do this Louisville can boast of having in her midst master mechanics of color who are as good as can be found in any of the best shops. We have spared neither time nor money in trying to secure the best. We are pleased to inform our patrons and friends that at this time we have in our printing department men of ten and twenty years of experience, respectively. Not only trained and experienced in the art of printing, but in the art of being courteous, and in dealing with the public in general. Call at our office and meet Messrs. Robt. Hogan and E. F. [Drupree?], master printers. We beg further to inform the public that the Louisville Publishing Company now has in its employ more Race help than is to be found in the mechanical and clerical department of any publishing and printing establishment in Kentucky. We publish this only to impress upon the minds of the people our earnest endeavor and sincerity of purpose in trying to efficiently serve an appreciative public.
SUPREME COURT ANNULS SEGREGATION ORDINANCE. Unanimous Decision Made Public---Great Victory for Civic Rights. Washington, D. C. ---The United States Supreme Court, in a sweeping decision, rendered by Justice Day and concurred in by the whole court, made plain that cities in attempting to regulate residential districts on the basis of race or color, were exceeding their police powers. Such attempts, the court held, contravened the spirit of the constitution and clearly deprived both white and colored citizens of inalienable rights guaranteed them by the constitution, in that it prevented them from exercising their property rights. The case in hand was the Louisville segregation ordinance and similar ordinances in St. Louis, Atlanta, Richmond and other Southern cities. These cities pooled their legal efforts in the attempt to have the ordinance declared constitutional, while the opponents of the ordinance worked pointly through the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. It was first argued before the Supreme Court in 1916, but the Court ordered the case re-argued before the whole court, as the far-reaching influence of the case demanded the attention of the whole court. The case was then re-argued in the spring of 1917. The attorneys for the city of Louisville were Pendleton Beckley and Stuart Chevalier, while the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was represented by Clayton B. Blakey, who was assisted by Mr. Moorfield Story of Boston, National President of the N. A. A. C. P. The case had attracted considerable attention in every part of the country. Reactionaries and Negro-baiters [hailed?] it as the most effective way of dealing with the growing economic power of the race, while Negroes and others, believing in a democracy of fact and not words, saw in the ordinance an attempt to revive the ill-famed ghetto. On all hands the decision is regarded as one of epoch-making importance. Prominent Negroes assert that the action of the Court presages a complete reversal of the attitude of the country towards her Negro population. Some were optimistic enough to rank the decision with the Emancipation Proclamation in importance. History of the Case. Segregation in Louisville began to be agitated in the summer of 1913. Various individuals and organizations began bombarding the local press in behalf of the move. The unanimity of thought and action gave rise to and easily substatiated the belief among colored people that the effort was an organized one. The receptive attitude of certain papers, namely the Louisville Times, also caused a deal of concern. Very soon the papers published editorials commending the move and calling on the city council to pass an ordinance to that effect. The council soon heeded the call of the powers that be, and the ordinance was introduced. To make a show of fairness an open meeting was held and Negroes who opposed the ordinance, were invited to attend and voice their opposition. The open meeting was held and a number of prominent Negroes were heard in behalf of the opposition to the ordinance. They easily proved themselves the equal of those arguing for the ordinance; in fact they impressed one as being superior. The ordinance, however, was soon passed. Some were of the opinion that the showing made by the Negroes angered the members of the council and their advisers, and thereby caused the early enactment of the bill. Colored citizens began at once to effect an organization to carry the case to the courts. The local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People had been organized but was not active. The enactment of this bill, however, put new life into them, and they became the agency through which the citizens organized their fight. Test Case Secured. After several cases came up, none of which afforded a real test of the ordinance on all points, the N. A. A. C. P., through Mr. William Warley, contracted to buy a certain piece of property in a white block. Payment then was refused on the ground that the purchaser of the property could not live on it, as it was in a white block. The real estate agent then brought suit to compel the contracting party to fulfill the contract. The lower court upheld the plaintiff and on an appeal to the State Court of Appeals, the lower court was sustained in its verdict. In the meantime mass meetings had been held to raise funds to carry the case to whatever lengths were needed. The National Organization of N. A. A. C. P. pledged its aid and sent speakers for various meetings, chief of whom were Dr. Joel E. Spingarn and Dr. William Pickens. In a house to house campaign $625 were raised in the city to carry the case to the Supreme Court. The National Organization contributed the services of the President, Mr. Moorfield Story, who prepared a brief. After the case was argued before the Supreme Court and then ordered to be reargued, the citizens of the city became somewhat down-hearted. The National organization of the N. A. A. C. P. and various branches, came to the rescue, and provided funds to present the case again. The fight then began to take on more of a national scope and attracted far more attention, as St. Louis had in the meantime passed a similar ordinance. In the rearguing of the case Mr. Moorfield Story played a more important part, delivering the main argument, a master-piece of controversial literature. The decision just rendered is of national importance in that it invalidates laws in several cities and checks what had seemed to be a new era of race proscription.
LOUISVILLE'S COLORED Y.W.C.A. EXTENDED BRANCH RELATIONSHIP BY CENTRAL ASSOCIATION AND OPENS QUARTERS. After six years of struggle and prayer, Louisville's colored women are opening up Y. W. C. A. quarters at 1021 W. Madison street. The Central Association has extended Branch relationship. The National Y. W. C. A. will furnish a local secretary to direct work. Y. W. C. A.'s throughout the country are being used as centers to carry on the work of the War Recreation Committees. The Colored Y. W. C. A. will be used as one of the centers in Louisville. The overhead expenses of this center will fall upon the local board. To meet this demand, the Executive Board is planning a city wide campaign with a $2,000.00 mark for the goal. St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Richmond and Charlotte all boast of a live wire Y. W. C. A. Let Louisville forge to the front. "We can, we will, in Louisville." What will you give toward this fund for the uplift of Louisville's colored women? Mass meeting at Broadway Temple Sunday afternoon at 3 p. m.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN YOUR CHURCH? IF SO, CO-OPERATE WITH YOUR PASTOR AND MEMBERS SHOULD YOU BE ASKED TO ASSIST IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR CHURCH AID PLAN. We are making the following offer to churches through their pastors. We will send on request, ten copies of the latest issue of the Louisville Leader to sell at 5 cents a copy, and the 50 cents is kept as a donation to your church from the Louisville Publishing Co. We will give your church a check on the following basis: For 250 subscribers....$100.00; For 188 subscribers....75.00; For 125 subscribers....50.00; For 100 subscribers....40.00; For 63 subscribers....25.00; For 50 subscribers....20.00; For 38 subscribers....15.00; For 26 subscribers....10.00; For 15 subscribers....5.00; For 10 subscribers....3.75; For less than ten subscribers no prize will be given. This plan gives every one in the Church a chance to work and help win the check, even the smallest child can help. The price of the Louisville Leader is $1.00 for one hear, $2.00 for two years, $3.00 for three years, etc. A two-years subscription counts as two subscriptions, and three year subscriptions as three subscriptions, etc. This offer is good for ninety days, but the sooner you get to work, the sooner you will get your check. All you have to do is fill out and mail the ACCEPTANCE and we'll send the necessary blanks, papers, etc.
NOTICE There will be a memorial service in memory of Mrs. John Little in the Presbyterian Church, Hancock and Jefferson streets, Sunday, November 11, at 8 p. m. All are welcome.

VOL I. No.2. LOUISVILLE. KENTUCKY
Five Cents Per Copy
"GANG RULE" IS BROKEN. Republican City and County Ticket Wins Overwhelming Victory. Tuesday night about ten o'clock the Buckingham gang rolled itself up in its blankets of corruption and misrule and laid down for a "Rip Van Winkle" snooze of four years. The gang is not dead though, simply given the "knockout" count. Whether is shall be able to recover depends on the ability of the newly elected Republican ticket to deliver the "goods." The Republican ticket headed by George Weissinger Smith, for Mayor, and including William Kreiger for County Judge, J. Mat Chilton for County Attorney, W. E. Ross for Sheriff, and J. F. Grinstead, J. B. Baskin and Phil A. Hunt for County Commissioners, received majorities ranging from 1,000 to 2,400. In 80 out of 84 county and city races the Republicans were returned victors. The Democrats were able to elect one State Senator, one Representative, one Magistrate and one constable. The Democratic candidate for County Superintendent was unopposed. The Republicans made a vigorous campaign, appealing for support to the independent and anti-machine Democratic vote an the issue of saloon-ridden politics and rotation in office. That the call for support did not fall on deaf ears is evidenced by the fact that the Republicans polled nearly 8,000 more votes than their registration showed. Anaylsis of Vote. An analysis of the vote cast reveals a number of curious alignments. Previous election returns afforded no basis for predictions, as the opposing forces lined up with very little regard for party affiliation. The stay-at-[illegible] contest. The First, Fourth and Twelfth wards, generally Democratic strongholds, returned Republican majorities, the Twelfth giving Mr. Smith a majority of over 1,000 votes. The Second and Eighth wards ran true to form, giving Democratic majorities, but greatly reduced. The Ninth ward, generally Republican by a small majority, gave the Democrats an overwhelming majority of 450. The Tenth ward, known as a Republican stronghold, gave a Republican majority of less than 200. This indicates that probably one-half of the colored vote was cast for the Democratic ticket. The reason, however, is very evident. The lawless and saloon element among the colored population saw in the active campaign of the Republican nominees against vice and lawlessness in all forms, their death warrant. The representative of The Leader, in his rounds on election day, saw the colored saloon influences actively at work for the success of the Democratic ticket. The division of the colored vote in such a way is pleasing to Negroes who are zealous for a new deal in the administration of the city's affairs. Republican officials, if shown that their main colored vote came from men who wish to see vice suppressed, may be persuaded to end such obnoxious things as the drinking of women over bars, soliciting an the streets, barrel houses on every corner in the colored districts and unsanitary and law-evading tenements. Colored Republicans Pleased. Leading colored Republicans when seen were over-joyed at the result of the election. Dr. E. D. Whedbee when seen said, "The election of Mr. Smith and the entire Republican ticket is the greatest political event in the city since the Grinstead administration of 1907. It will rid the city of its lawless element and give the colored population its share of recognition." ---- When interviewed by a Leader reporter, Dr. W. T. Merchant said, "The election of Hon. Geo. W. Smith for mayor of Louisville insures to the whole people a better, cleaner, and purer city government. Mr. Smith's past career guarantees that he will be Mayor for all the people regardless of race, creed or station, and that Louisville will for the next four years have a straightforward, economical and honest administration. His vigorous campaign, backed with the uupurchasable truths in his appeals to the people, won for him a signal victory which should be sanctioned by everybody who desired to see Louisville get back to the fair name she has lost under mismanagement."
THE COLORED CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE THANKS COLORED VOTERS THROUGH THE LEADER. "We will to publicly and personally congratulate every decent and self-respecting Colored Republican voter for the loyal, heroic and patriotic stand which you manifested last Tuesday at the polls. You showed, beyond all reasonable doubt, that you appreciate good government and decent citizenship. Without your vote we could have never won the sweeping victory for Louisville and Jefferson county, which crowned our efforts. The malicious machine has been destroyed and you had a hand in its destructiton. We have much for which to be hopeful in the future as a race. We give you, as our parting word, continue to stand up like men, be strong, true and loyal to Republican principles, and the victory will be yours to enjoy." "Again we congratulate you, 'To the victor belongs the spoils.'" J. B. COLBERT, Chairman Colored Republican Campaign Committee. AL A. ANDREWS, Secretary.
Indianapolis Elects Colored Councilman. (Special to the Leader.) Indianapolis, Ind.---Dr. Sumner A. Furniss, a leading colored physician of this city, was elected city councilman on the Republican ticket, to represent the Fourth Councilmanic district, at Tuesday's election. Dr Furniss made an active fight and his presence on the ticket drew practically the entire Negro vote to the G. O. P., causing thereby the election of the whole ticket. This is the first instance in this city where a Negro has been elected to the city governing body. [illegible] lian Morris, a member of a prominent family in that city.
TAYLOR-FERGUSON Mrs. Maude M. Taylor, principal of the Twenty-ninth St. public school, and Rev. David Leroy Ferguson, rector of the Church of the Merciful Saviour, were joined in wedlock, with full choral service, at the Church of Our Merciful Saviour, Thursday evening, at 5 p. m. The bride was attended by her sister, Mrs. Sumner A. Furniss, matron of honor. The groom was attended by his best man, Dr. Wilson Ballard. The bride and groom left at 10 p. m. for New York via Zenia, from whence Rev. Ferguson will sail for France, where he will engage in Y. M. C. A. war work. Out of town guests to the wedding were: Dr. and Mrs. S. A. Furniss, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dodson, Mrs. Angel Lemon and Mr. Bristow Morris, all of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Alicia Anderson of Chicago. Rev. Mundy of Henderson, officiated.
NOTICE. The Negro Fraternal Congress has been called to meet at noon Friday, November 30, in the Pythian Temple. Together with representatives from each of the Grand Lodges, a representative from every lodge and society in the city is expected. By order of the Executive Committee. E. E. UNDERWOOD, M. D., Pres. C. W. King, Secretary.
BOYS' CONFERENCE A GREAT SUCCESS. Lexington, Ky.---The first Annual Older Boys Conference for Kentucky was held in this city November 2, 3, 4, and attracted a large number of delegates and adult leaders. Ninety-nine delegates and leaders representing the following places were in attendance: Louisville, Shelbyville, Lincoln Institute, Versailles, Georgetown, Cincinnati and Harrodsburgy. Among the prominent men present were G. W. Saffell, W. H. Mayo, W. B. Matthews, J. A. Green, O. M. Brown, Lee L. Brown, and International Secretaries G. W. Moore, J. E. Moorland and W. L. Chandler. Some of the things accomplished were fifteen conversions, resolutions asking for a State Boy's Work Secretary, and a deepening of the religious sense of the boys. The following officers were elected: W. L. Kean, Louisville, President; Lucian Dole, Shelbyville, First Vice President; A. McPheeters, Lexington, Second Vice President; Earl Gray Lincoln Institute, Third Vice President; W. D. Johnson, Louis ville, Fourth Vice President; and M. Shelburne, K. N. & I. I., Secretary. Louisville was chosen as the next meeting place.
Rural Life Conference To Be Held At Pembroke, Kentucky
(Special to the Leader.)
Pembroke, Ky., Nov. 8, 1917.--On November 14 and 15, the Negroes of this part of the State have planned a Rural Life Conference, to be held at Training School, Pembroke, Ky.
The object of the conference is to improve the Negro farmer, teaching him as far as time will permit, the better methods of stock raising and farming; how to safeguard his health, and that of his family, which means better health for the community, better teachers for the Negro children, and better preachers for the Negro people.
Some of the leading educators of the South will be present and will take part in the program. A list of them proves the greatness of the attempt that is being made. Dr. H. H. Cherry, Western State Normal School, Superintendent of Public Instruction; V. O. Gilbert, Hon. J. C. Napier, ex-Register of the United States Treasury; Prof. H. C. Russell, Pres. Kentucky Negro Educational Association; Elder Preston Taylor, Nashville, Tenn., and many others.
Over $300.00 will be given away in prizes for the best display in agricultural products. It is hoped that competition for these prizes will be state wide. Write C. L. Timberlake for information.
Rev. Melville D. Perdue, now pastoring a leading Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, Mich., is a product of Louisville, and a young writer and thinker of ability. Beginning with our next issue, Mr. Perdue [will write a series of articles?] for The Leader. His initial subject will be "The Negro In the North."
GREAT NEGRO FRATERNAL CONGRESS TO MEET. The Negro Fraternal Congress will hold its third annual session in the Pythian Temple Friday, November 30. This Congress brings to our city the leading spirits of each of the Fraternal Orders of the State, who plan to effect a unity of purpose in our several organizations as well as being influenced in having such legislation enacted in our State as to promote the best interest of the Negro in general. Dr. [S.?] E. Underwood, Frankfort, Ky., the President, says this will be quite a historical meeting of Negroes. Many questions affecting us directly in the present state of affairs, are to be met and adjusted. A large delegation from over the State is expected and the secretary, Mr. C. W. King, states that each lodge in our city will be expected to be represented.
THINGS MILITARY. Within the next few weeks the fourth quota of drafted men assigned to Camp Zachary Taylor, composed largely of colored men, will be in the city. The officers in charge have been ready to receive them for some time and the men on arriving will find things far more comfortable than the first arrivals found them. The battalion to be selected for immediate service as non-combatants will be organized and out-fitted first as they are expected to leave for France at the earliest possible moment. The Y. M. C. A. stag for the local cantonment is nearly completed. It consists of Mr. Johnson of Macon, Ga., Religious Secretary; Mr. Stevenson of Cincinnati, Social Secretary; Mr. Morris Taylor, of this city. Physical Secretary and a House Secretary to be named later. Mr. Taylor is in charge at present. The men of the Eighth Illinois Infantry under the iron hand of Col. Dennison, are establishing a record for self-control at Houston, Tex. They have been subjected to numerous insults but their officers, all colored, are determined that no outburst shall occur. As a result of the announcement that the regiment is leading all other outfits at the camp in Liberty Bond purchases with the total of $133,200, the citizens seemed to have accorded them in the past week a greater degree of respect. Occupying a favored section in the Liberty Loan parade of Houston, they are accorded marked applause along the line of march. The lone encounter at Camp Logan has been between white Illinois soldiers hailing from East St. Louis, and members of the Eighth. The colored boys were insulted and attacked by the white men but came off none the worst for the encounter. Col. Dennison soon restored order with an armed provost guard. No one is surprised at the occurrence. The East St. Louis soldiers have been under expert tutelage in such matters. The Fifteenth New York has found things rather stormy at Spartanburg, S. C. Special Commissioner Emmet J. Scott has been compelled to make a trip to the scene to assist in restoring the status quo. White New York soldiers in one instance took the part of their brothers of color, telling them to keep quiet, as any act of theirs would be called a race riot by the local press, and soundly thrashed a crowd of hill-billies who were insulting colored troopers. Word comes that the colored troops having colored officers will only have white colonels and majors. The regimental adjutants, captains and lieutenants will all be colored. As merit shows itself colored men are to be raised to the rank of battalion and regimental commanders. Rector D. Leroy Ferguson of the Church of Our Merciful Savior, departs this week for New York, from whence he will sail for France to engage in Y. M. C. A. war work. Rector Ferguson's immediate assignment and location is not known. The Leader is privileged to announce that Rector Ferguson will contribute to its columns from time to time articles on war topics and life at the front. The readers of the Leader will be especially fortunate in having news directly from the front. Subscribe to The Leader and learn of the black man's part in the war in America and Europe.
The Louisville Pub. Co. Secures Printers of Training and Experience
In connection with the Louisville Leader the management adds men of training and years of experience to its printing department.
During our business career here in Louisville it has been our desire and noble aim to properly serve the public. To do this we have attempted to improve upon our methods and general service as it has become necessary and expedient. We have endeavored to give to the patrons of Louisville some of the best mechanics to be had in Louisville and in the trade schools in the land, and in our humble effort to do this Louisville can boast of having in her midst master mechanics of color who are as good as can be found in any of the best shops. We have spared neither time nor money in trying to secure the best. We are pleased to inform our patrons and friends that at this time we have in our printing department men of ten and twenty years of experience, respectively. Not only trained and experienced in the art of printing, but in the art of being courteous, and in dealing with the public in general. Call at our office and meet Messrs. Robt. Hogan and E. F. [Drupree?], master printers. We beg further to inform the public that the Louisville Publishing Company now has in its employ more Race help than is to be found in the mechanical and clerical department of any publishing and printing establishment in Kentucky. We publish this only to impress upon the minds of the people our earnest endeavor and sincerity of purpose in trying to efficiently serve an appreciative public.
SUPREME COURT ANNULS SEGREGATION ORDINANCE. Unanimous Decision Made Public---Great Victory for Civic Rights. Washington, D. C. ---The United States Supreme Court, in a sweeping decision, rendered by Justice Day and concurred in by the whole court, made plain that cities in attempting to regulate residential districts on the basis of race or color, were exceeding their police powers. Such attempts, the court held, contravened the spirit of the constitution and clearly deprived both white and colored citizens of inalienable rights guaranteed them by the constitution, in that it prevented them from exercising their property rights. The case in hand was the Louisville segregation ordinance and similar ordinances in St. Louis, Atlanta, Richmond and other Southern cities. These cities pooled their legal efforts in the attempt to have the ordinance declared constitutional, while the opponents of the ordinance worked pointly through the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. It was first argued before the Supreme Court in 1916, but the Court ordered the case re-argued before the whole court, as the far-reaching influence of the case demanded the attention of the whole court. The case was then re-argued in the spring of 1917. The attorneys for the city of Louisville were Pendleton Beckley and Stuart Chevalier, while the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was represented by Clayton B. Blakey, who was assisted by Mr. Moorfield Story of Boston, National President of the N. A. A. C. P. The case had attracted considerable attention in every part of the country. Reactionaries and Negro-baiters [hailed?] it as the most effective way of dealing with the growing economic power of the race, while Negroes and others, believing in a democracy of fact and not words, saw in the ordinance an attempt to revive the ill-famed ghetto. On all hands the decision is regarded as one of epoch-making importance. Prominent Negroes assert that the action of the Court presages a complete reversal of the attitude of the country towards her Negro population. Some were optimistic enough to rank the decision with the Emancipation Proclamation in importance. History of the Case. Segregation in Louisville began to be agitated in the summer of 1913. Various individuals and organizations began bombarding the local press in behalf of the move. The unanimity of thought and action gave rise to and easily substatiated the belief among colored people that the effort was an organized one. The receptive attitude of certain papers, namely the Louisville Times, also caused a deal of concern. Very soon the papers published editorials commending the move and calling on the city council to pass an ordinance to that effect. The council soon heeded the call of the powers that be, and the ordinance was introduced. To make a show of fairness an open meeting was held and Negroes who opposed the ordinance, were invited to attend and voice their opposition. The open meeting was held and a number of prominent Negroes were heard in behalf of the opposition to the ordinance. They easily proved themselves the equal of those arguing for the ordinance; in fact they impressed one as being superior. The ordinance, however, was soon passed. Some were of the opinion that the showing made by the Negroes angered the members of the council and their advisers, and thereby caused the early enactment of the bill. Colored citizens began at once to effect an organization to carry the case to the courts. The local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People had been organized but was not active. The enactment of this bill, however, put new life into them, and they became the agency through which the citizens organized their fight. Test Case Secured. After several cases came up, none of which afforded a real test of the ordinance on all points, the N. A. A. C. P., through Mr. William Warley, contracted to buy a certain piece of property in a white block. Payment then was refused on the ground that the purchaser of the property could not live on it, as it was in a white block. The real estate agent then brought suit to compel the contracting party to fulfill the contract. The lower court upheld the plaintiff and on an appeal to the State Court of Appeals, the lower court was sustained in its verdict. In the meantime mass meetings had been held to raise funds to carry the case to whatever lengths were needed. The National Organization of N. A. A. C. P. pledged its aid and sent speakers for various meetings, chief of whom were Dr. Joel E. Spingarn and Dr. William Pickens. In a house to house campaign $625 were raised in the city to carry the case to the Supreme Court. The National Organization contributed the services of the President, Mr. Moorfield Story, who prepared a brief. After the case was argued before the Supreme Court and then ordered to be reargued, the citizens of the city became somewhat down-hearted. The National organization of the N. A. A. C. P. and various branches, came to the rescue, and provided funds to present the case again. The fight then began to take on more of a national scope and attracted far more attention, as St. Louis had in the meantime passed a similar ordinance. In the rearguing of the case Mr. Moorfield Story played a more important part, delivering the main argument, a master-piece of controversial literature. The decision just rendered is of national importance in that it invalidates laws in several cities and checks what had seemed to be a new era of race proscription.
LOUISVILLE'S COLORED Y.W.C.A. EXTENDED BRANCH RELATIONSHIP BY CENTRAL ASSOCIATION AND OPENS QUARTERS. After six years of struggle and prayer, Louisville's colored women are opening up Y. W. C. A. quarters at 1021 W. Madison street. The Central Association has extended Branch relationship. The National Y. W. C. A. will furnish a local secretary to direct work. Y. W. C. A.'s throughout the country are being used as centers to carry on the work of the War Recreation Committees. The Colored Y. W. C. A. will be used as one of the centers in Louisville. The overhead expenses of this center will fall upon the local board. To meet this demand, the Executive Board is planning a city wide campaign with a $2,000.00 mark for the goal. St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Richmond and Charlotte all boast of a live wire Y. W. C. A. Let Louisville forge to the front. "We can, we will, in Louisville." What will you give toward this fund for the uplift of Louisville's colored women? Mass meeting at Broadway Temple Sunday afternoon at 3 p. m.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN YOUR CHURCH? IF SO, CO-OPERATE WITH YOUR PASTOR AND MEMBERS SHOULD YOU BE ASKED TO ASSIST IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR CHURCH AID PLAN. We are making the following offer to churches through their pastors. We will send on request, ten copies of the latest issue of the Louisville Leader to sell at 5 cents a copy, and the 50 cents is kept as a donation to your church from the Louisville Publishing Co. We will give your church a check on the following basis: For 250 subscribers....$100.00; For 188 subscribers....75.00; For 125 subscribers....50.00; For 100 subscribers....40.00; For 63 subscribers....25.00; For 50 subscribers....20.00; For 38 subscribers....15.00; For 26 subscribers....10.00; For 15 subscribers....5.00; For 10 subscribers....3.75; For less than ten subscribers no prize will be given. This plan gives every one in the Church a chance to work and help win the check, even the smallest child can help. The price of the Louisville Leader is $1.00 for one hear, $2.00 for two years, $3.00 for three years, etc. A two-years subscription counts as two subscriptions, and three year subscriptions as three subscriptions, etc. This offer is good for ninety days, but the sooner you get to work, the sooner you will get your check. All you have to do is fill out and mail the ACCEPTANCE and we'll send the necessary blanks, papers, etc.
NOTICE There will be a memorial service in memory of Mrs. John Little in the Presbyterian Church, Hancock and Jefferson streets, Sunday, November 11, at 8 p. m. All are welcome.